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Seminole Group - Niobium

Niobium is used in Medical Devices and ARC Welding

The chemical element, Niobium is a rare, shiny, soft, white metal. Due to the fact that the metal begins to oxidize in high air temperatures, niobium takes on a bluish tint when exposed to the air. This metal most often occurs in Columbite-tantalite, or coltan, and is widely referred to by its original name, Columbium. Niobium is also classified as a Transition Metal, which are located in Groups 3-12 on the Periodic Table of the Elements and can be found directly above tantalum.

Niobium is commonly used in steel alloys, most notably HSLA steels, which are used as structural components in automobiles. Niobium is also used in ARC welding and superconductivity research. It is also being evaluated as an alternative to tantalum in capacitors.

Niobium is physiologically inert, which makes it hypoallergenic, this makes the metal ideal for fabricating jewelry and medical devices such as pacemakers.